Wildfire on Vashon
August is the perfect time to enjoy a staycation on the Island. It’s also the month when wildfire risk is at its highest here. What a paradox, but one we can work with.
People used to say that wildfire couldn’t happen on the Island because our air is moist and the vegetation is lush. Truth is, wildfire has been a regular part of Vashon’s natural history and will continue to occur periodically. In this respect, we’re no exception to the ecological norm in the American West.
The good news is that, as part of the Puget Lowlands, Vashon is subject to a fire regime of “only” mixed severity, not high severity as is the case in other parts of western Washington. In other words, all our future fires won’t be big and intense the way the wildfires around us likely will be. (The Bear Gulch fire currently raging on the Olympic Peninsula is a case in point.) And Island fires will occur only on a moderately frequent basis, not routinely as is the case in eastern parts of the state.
One complication is that Vashon, relative to the rest of King County, has a high ratio of population to forest. This increases the chance of fire starting (more people equals more chances) and more property loss when it does. Climate change will complicate things even further.
The causes of Island wildfire aren’t those usually blamed (often unfairly) for fires elsewhere. Government isn’t mismanaging forests here. Fuels (dry branches and brush) do exist, but naturally so, not due to unnatural fire suppression. Lightning strikes aren’t frequent.
No, the likeliest scenario for wildfire on Vashon is when three conditions line up: a dry late-summer period, a prevailing wind from the east, and a source of ignition.
Chances are we’ll be the source of ignition—sparks from our vehicles or machinery, personal fireworks, power lines shorting when a branch falls on them.
So, prevention of ignition by people is our best strategy to avoid wildfire. Some basic rules here:
Observe burn bans. There’s never a good time or reason for burn piles. Starting one in the summer is asking for trouble.
Don’t set off personal fireworks, even during wet periods.
Limit recreational fires. Even ones in approved fire-surrounds can get out of control. Ditto beach fires, which onshore winds can blow into adjacent forest.
Support Puget Sound Energy’s decisions to turn off power lines temporarily in areas where fire threats emerge.
Protection from wildfire damage is important too:
Remove flammable materials (e.g., firewood, paper recycling) from around domestic structures.
Clear around these same structures a “defensible space”—an area unlikely to burn should wildfire approach.
When building or remodeling, employ fire-smart materials and design.
Finally, since Island forests are a likely scene of wildfire, managing them for health can minimize fire’s severity. Mature forest stands containing multiple species of differing ages are the most fire-resistant. (Like those found on Land Trust preserves!)
